Chelsea
Just Willian
Our vital winner
By Gary Watton
November 5 2015
I must admit that being the semi-old grump that I am, it is much easier to write at length about defeats than it is about victories, but credit where credit is due to the team's battling, though unconvincing, performance. In the end, it took a late winner from a free kick yet again from the red-hot Willian to get us over the finishing line in first place in this contest. Dynamo Kiev were no mugs and they always represented a threat, as long as the margin was merely one goal. So it proved when Dragovic fired home from a corner to cancel out his spectacular diving header in the first half which incidentally flew into the same nets. He obviously likes playing in front of the Matthew Harding Stand!
Anyhow, with the scores level going into the final ten minutes, the English champions (yes we still are!) were really staring into the abyss. Thoughts of a stint in the Europa League were being entertained, but thankfully along pops Willian to take on the mantle of deadly free kick specialist, following in the traditions of Gianfranco Zola and Frankie Lampard. Super Frank tended to blitz his efforts along the floor, while Willian's spectacular strikes are more reminiscent of Zola. The goal was worthy of winning any Champions League clash. It really was special. It also bailed Mourinho out. Admittedly, the supporters lived up to their name once again and supported the team manager to the hilt. He was visibly moved by the widespread appreciation. As a sceptic and critic, I would love to be looking back on a hot May afternoon as we lift the FA Cup again, having qualified also for the Champions League for next year, with Jose still at the helm.
Alas, last night's performance against mediocre opposition was largely forgettable. The trip to Stoke on Saturday will be the tipping point especially if we lose. Abramovich and his fellow axemen will have the necessary two-week international break to insert a new manager if they so desire. Remember how clinical Liverpoo were at disposing of Brenda Rodgers literally hours after his team had actually drawn at Everton in the Merseyside derby at the start of the last international break. Poor Brendan had to walk alone - even though his so-called supporters have been singing 'You'll Never Walk Alone'. The same fate could still lie in store for Jose if Chelsea don't achieve a bare minimum of a draw in the Potteries, and even a share of the points doesn't begin to redeem the lost points from home defeats in recent weeks. Perhaps only a win can rescue Mourinho - or maybe Abramovich will uncharacteristically persevere with the special one until the end of the season. Ultimately, what is always foremost in RA's mind is whether we will qualify for and/or succeed in the Champions League. Nothing else registers with him, not even an accumulation of silverware from the fans' favourite. The outpouring of love towards JM was a sight to see, but it is unlikely to move Abramovich too much. He has incurred the wrath of the Chelsea faithful before, what with appointing Benitez, and he is a believer in the philosophy that there is no room for sentiment in business.
Anyhow, on a lighter note, it was wonderful to see Arsenic getting their arses wiped by Bayern Munich. Big Petr Cheque never conceded five goals throughout his eleven-year, distinguished career at Chelsea, but already within months of his arrival at Arsenic, he is conceding five goals. Even when we were reduced to ten men against Barcelona, we never caved in like Arsenic did last night. Sorry Arsenil, but when it comes to the Champions League, you're just not even on the same level as Chelsea, past or present!
Mind you, there was a muppet supporter from our ranks who was foolishly interviewed on Radio Five Dead last night. This Dick, coincidentally called Richard, suggested that Chelsea had "outgrown" the Premiership, I kid you not. Well Dickie old chum, I hate to be the one to break it to you, but Chelsea are currently struggling to stay in this league that we have "outgrown". Richard had predicted last season that Chelsea would end up with at least one hundred league points. Dear oh dear! He even has the gall to compound his stupidity by stating that only Chelsea and ManUre have the right to be in a European super league, with maybe Manchester Wannabees and Arsenic contesting a play-off for a third spot in this imaginary league. As much as I loathe the aforementioned pair who are the Premiership's table-toppers, it is plain disrespectful to dismiss them like this. Come on Richard. Retrieve your brain cells. You're giving the rest of us Chelsea supporters a bad name as being brainless halfwits! Let Mancunians, Scousers, and norf Londonders populate the airwaves with their assorted drivel and self-important nonsense.
Well, we will probably escape a Europa League reunion with our London friends of Arsenil and Tottensham, but can we now give Stoke the runaround? Or will Willian's winner be the latest false dawn for our under-achieving troops? One thing is for sure. We are not scoring from open play. Mark Lawrenson correctly noted that Costa was just about the only attacking player (including midfielders) who has not been dropped this season. Mourinho is well entitled to shuffle his pack, as he has done, as he searches for a new formula and a unit that will deliver. Costa nevertheless needs to start converting chances and his suppliers need to tee him up for more oppportunities. There are after all only so many times that Willian can score eye-catching free kicks. Maybe we don't need to campaign for penalties that we never get awarded and instead urge the multitude of non-compliant referees to keep awarding us direct free kicks. They are beginning to feel like penalties anyhow!
CHELSEA 2 Dynamo Kiev 1; half time: 1-0.
Chelsea scorers: Dragovic (own goal); Willian
CHELSEA team: Begovic; Rahman; Azpilicueta; Terry; Zouma; Matic; Oscar; Ramires; Costa; Willian; Fabregas. Used substitutes: Hazard; Pedro; Cahill.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE TABLE
FC Porto - ten points (goal difference plus five goals)
CHELSEA - seven points (goal diffference plus four goals)
Dynamo Kiev - five points (goal difference plus one goal)
Maccabi Tel-Aviv - no points (goal difference minus ten goals)
CHELSEA LEADING SCORERS:
Willian five goals
Costa three goals
Ramires three goals
Oscar two goals
Pedro two goals
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05/11/2015 13:39
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